CHAPTER 4

No! It can't be.

Everyone focused their attention on Cyril.

"What happened?!" Cyril demanded.

Helen interjected, "I'm so sorry, Your Excellency, I sent her on an errand, and it took longer than expected." She bowed deeply.

"That action is not justified by what I just witnessed," Cyril stated.

"I'm very sorry, your excellency", Helen pleaded as she bowed again.

"I personally believe you don't deserve forgiveness," Cyril stated, gazing down at Maryann who sat on the ground, her gaze fixed helplessly on the dirt beneath her.

Helen knelt down immediately in fear. "I'm so sorry, Your excellency"

"No. You are fired". Cyril said "Please take her away," Cyril said as he ordered his guards to take her away and two of them held her by the arm and dragged her away while the rest stayed behind to guard Cyril.

Cyril walked over to where Maryann sat, then he squatted.

Maryann lifted her head and their gazes locked.

"I see you enjoy trouble, huh?" Cyril remarked.

Maryann didn't say anything, didn't bulge, didn't bow, didn't apologize, she just kept on staring into his icy blue eyes, then at his robe.

"Your eyes glitter at the sight of my robe. Have you set your sights on it as your next acquisition?" inquired Cyril.

Maryann got out of reality and knelt down immediately.

"No Sir"

"You don't remember me, do you?" Cyril inquired calmly.

"No, Sir," Maryann replied, shivering with fear.

"Oranges..."

At that word, Maryann gasped, realizing her end was near because she remembered insulting him.

Tears streamed down her face as she knelt, bowed, and clutched Cyril's feet.

"Please, Your Excellency, I know I don't deserve forgiveness, but please spare my life; Gran has no one else..."

Cyril interrupted her. "You always use your Granny as an excuse to wreak havoc."

Maryann sniffed.

The crowd observed the scene in astonishment.

It was uncommon to catch a glimpse of the President, and even then, it would be but a fleeting moment before he disappeared.

His voice was unheard by the public, yet there he stood among minor offenders, conversing with one as if it were an everyday occurrence, leaving all the onlookers in utter disbelief.

"This will definitely be a huge story for the press," Sarah whispered to Lisa and James, who both quickly shushed her.

"Why should I forgive you?" Cyril asked Maryann.

"Because it's beneficial," Maryann replied.

"You didn't even appreciate it," Cyril pressed on.

"I'm sorry, Your Excellency, it was spontaneous... I had no idea..."

Cyril interrupted her. "You didn't know I was the President. That's why you dismissed me. Thankfully, you were unaware of my position; otherwise, you might have feigned a persona you're not, pretending to be kind and remorseful. Fortunately, you revealed your true self, sparing me from deception."

"I'm so sorry, Your Excellency, I promised to do anything to appease your anger... please," Maryann wailed, clutching his feet even tighter.

Cyril smirked and rose to his feet. "Stand up," he commanded. "I will consider your plea, but remember, you said you would do anything," Cyril remarked, his smile lingering as he walked away, followed by his bodyguards.

Maryann pondered: What would happen if he requested something beyond her financial means or ability to provide?

The questions persisted.

❤️🧡💜💙💛

Cass stepped out of her Audi RS4, dressed to impress, in hopes of catching Cyril's attention.

She took her luggage out and wheeled it away on her own, as no one else offered to help.

As she walked by, some workers bowed in respect, while others disregarded her presence entirely.

She entered the White House extension, which was specially given to her Dad to stay

"Dad!" Cass called out as she collapsed on the sofa.

"What are you doing here?" She could hear her Dad ask as he came down the stairs.

"You are asking me what I am doing here when you know exactly what I am doing here, but you still ask me such questions. Come on Dad, don't be silly," Cass said, really leaning on the sofa.

"Funny how you think I know why you are here. Explain. You have a house," David asked.

"Oh My God!" Cass stood up as she screamed out of frustration and left her luggage where she sat and headed up the stairs without answering her dad a bit.

David was a bald man but tall and healthy, he strolled over to his bar, and opened a bottle of whiskey and turned it into a glass of ice cubes, sat down and took sips.

He definitely knew why his daughter came to the White House, she must have heard of the news between the President and the thief and decided to rush over because of her insecurities.

He was aware that his daughter was a stickler for protocol, and as expected, at any moment she would come dashing down the stairs, calling for the workers, which is exactly what happened.

"Dad, my room is a mess. It needs to be cleaned up," Cass complained as she ran down the stairs.

"Then go clean it up" David said, pretending not to understand what his daughter wanted.

"Stop playing games Dad, you know very well, I need my workers back"

"Then go get 'em" David said.

"Can't go. Maybe you can send someone."

"Go call 'em yourself. If you can't, I am sure you've got God-made hands."

"Uhhhhhh…..finnnnne…." Cass said as she stamped her feet on the marbled floor as she headed out to the headquarters.

❤️🧡💜💙💛

Cass walked into the headquarters cottage. She wasn't buying the idea of going by herself to pick up workers for herself.

The cottage always smelt like cow dung but here she was, having to go in there.

She walked into the cottage and all eyes turned to her, yet not a single person curtsied.

Tan Bugger, Oliver's butler, walked into the cottage, bowed and whispered to Cass.

"I'm so sorry ma'am, you can't use any workers from the cottage. It's prohibited. If you need a worker, we can give you an already trained staff", Tan pleaded.

"Who gave such an order?" Cass was pissed.

"Your father, Ma'am," Tan replied.

"I'm just using them for a few hours, not permanently" Cass said nonchalantly.

"But Ma'am..." Tan began, only to be silenced by Cass's disdainful glance that swept from his shoes to his head, prompting him to fall silent.

"Who is that?" Maryann asked her trio of friends.

"Mister David Oliver's daughter. Cassandra Oliver" Lisa said.

"The Secretary's daughter?" Maryann asked.

James nodded.

"She doesn't belong here, so what is she doing here?" Maryann asked.

"I think she came to pick up some workers to clean up her room," Lisa said.

"She is rumored to be engaged to the President as his bride." Sarah said.

"But he rejected her countless times," James added.

"She doesn't even look like someone that has given up, seeing as she has come in here to pick up workers," Lisa said.

The four of them giggled in whispers.

"But guys, I think she is coming to live in the White House extension permanently for real," Sarah said.

"But…." Cass cut Maryann short as she was about to speak.

"You…" Cass called out.

Everywhere became silent.

"Me?!" Maryann asked Cass as she touched her chest.

Cass ordered: "Yes you, come and stand by my side, now."